# How to get paint out of hair? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 3, 2006, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264 "2006-09-03T02:17:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![1010011010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/ea666f/32.png) [@1010011010](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1010011010)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/1 "2006-09-03T02:17:01Z")
Anyone have advice for getting significant amounts of dried latex paint out of hair? I don’t mean the “whoops while painting” variety of paint in your hair. [A picture is worth a thousand words.](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/ShadiRoxan/wreck001.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Ludy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Ludy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludy)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/2 "2006-09-03T02:19:26Z")
Ummmm Before we go any further here, you have to explain this one. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/3 "2006-09-03T02:22:10Z")
I think your hair is the least of your problems. (But since you asked, have you tried “Goof Off”?) ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/4 "2006-09-03T02:39:05Z")
I’d go with [cheap hairspray](http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Latex-Paint-from-Clothes). Spray it on. Smoosh it around thoroughly, then smoosh it around some more. When your hands start getting disgusting, smoosh it around a bit longer, then shower and shampoo, shampoo, shampoo. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/5 "2006-09-03T02:45:51Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] When your hands start getting disgusting, smoosh it around a bit longer, then shower and shampoo, shampoo, shampoo. [/QUOTE] It might help to comb conditioner through your hair while you’re in the shower. ---
**Author:** ![1010011010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/ea666f/32.png) [@1010011010](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1010011010)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/6 "2006-09-03T03:10:56Z")
[QUOTE=Ludy] Before we go any further here, you have to explain this one. :eek: [/QUOTE] Mother-in-law didn’t want to get paint all over [the trunk](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/ShadiRoxan/wreck003.jpg). I’ve actually found a fair bit of stuff on getting paint out of clothing (including the hair spray one, thanks **panache45** - have you actually tried it?) and paintbrushes… some of which are presumably animal fiber. Nothing really deals with removing paint from hair _in situ_. Is there some gum-versus-peanutbutter bit of folk wisdom out there? ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/7 "2006-09-03T03:15:44Z")
Latex paint doesn’t adhere that well to natural fibers. Repeated washing will get it out although the time-line may be longer than you want. I would try one of those cheap plastic combs in the shower or you might try one of those lice combs with tiny teeth. Just wash and comb… ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/8 "2006-09-03T03:29:43Z")
[QUOTE=Shagnasty] Latex paint doesn’t adhere that well to natural fibers. Repeated washing will get it out although the time-line may be longer than you want. I would try one of those cheap plastic combs in the shower or you might try one of those lice combs with tiny teeth. Just wash and comb… [/QUOTE] yep Except, use the big teeth combs. The little teeth combs will pull out hair. Just keep pouring on condintioner (or use baby oil, but watch out for a VERY slippery shower!) and combing under a hot shower. You don’t want to use any paint thinner type products on your head. So, no Goof Off, mineral spirits, or anything like that. Bummer about the hair, man. ---
**Author:** ![Elysium](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3be4f8/32.png) [@Elysium](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elysium)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/9 "2006-09-03T04:01:35Z")
I have used mineral oil (ie baby oil) to get out some pretty nasty substances. I recently used it to get the goo from sticky mouse traps off my kitten’s fur. he hated the whole process but after shampoo, dish soap, and rubbing alcohol all failed I was pleased to see that the mineral oil worked like a charm. be prepared for very gross oily hair afterwards. My cat looked greasy for 3 days. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/10 "2006-09-03T04:30:12Z")
[QUOTE=1010011010] Mother-in-law didn’t want to get paint all over [the trunk](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/ShadiRoxan/wreck003.jpg). I’ve actually found a fair bit of stuff on getting paint out of clothing (including the hair spray one, thanks **panache45** - have you actually tried it?) and paintbrushes… some of which are presumably animal fiber. Nothing really deals with removing paint from hair _in situ_. Is there some gum-versus-peanutbutter bit of folk wisdom out there? [/QUOTE] No-that still doesn’t explain the first picture. Two middle schoolers with paint-filled super soakers would explain the photo. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/11 "2006-09-03T04:32:26Z")
Never mind. Just viewed second photo. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/12 "2006-09-03T05:05:42Z")
You could always bleach your hair white, and just let it grow out. ---
**Author:** ![Carlyjay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Carlyjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carlyjay)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/13 "2006-09-03T05:16:02Z")
Wow. That looks like a Fark ad. "Bad: You have to go paint shopping with your mother-in-law. Worse: MIL makes a stink and insists you hold the paint on your lap on the way home so she ‘doesn’t dirty the trunk’. Fark: You get into a car accident on the way home and now you have whiplash AND a permanent and rather stiff eggshell-blue hairdo." ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/14 "2006-09-03T08:13:32Z")
I would love to the the look on the estimator’s face when this one gets towed in for a repair estimate. ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/15 "2006-09-03T09:34:00Z")
Can we see a picture of your hair? Pretty please??? We promise not to laugh. ---
**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/16 "2006-09-03T11:22:47Z")
Man, you’re lucky that paint can didn’t become more of a loose projectile inside the car. It could have done some serious damage if it had bounced around in there a bit more. ---
**Author:** ![indecisive1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/41988e/32.png) [@indecisive1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/indecisive1)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/17 "2006-09-03T11:29:02Z")
[QUOTE=Surly Chick] Can we see a picture of your hair? Pretty please??? We promise not to laugh. [/QUOTE] **Surly Chick** lies! we are are laughing now. (I hope you are all OK) ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/18 "2006-09-03T12:13:59Z")
**HOLY CRAP!!1!** I don’t know about the hair problem but he best approach for the car would be gasoline… and a match. Hope all are well after seeing the rear of that car. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/19 "2006-09-03T12:23:17Z")
Hair conditioner works on paint brushes, when not cut with water. Best of luck. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264/20 "2006-09-03T19:47:04Z")
I’ve gotten latex paint on my hair more than once, and I basically just pull it off, so my vote is also for the wide-toothed comb. You know, latex is water-soluble, so if you washed the inside of your car while it was still wet, you could have washed most of that off. If you weren’t planning to just total it, that is. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-paint-out-of-hair/371264.md?page=2)